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One thing I've learned about being W.M.

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
If you don't have Brethren willing to help/support you, you're basically powerless. Sad deal, but true. Build bridges now and hold your Officers ACCOUNTABLE!
 

JJones

Moderator
Thanks brother, I'm always eager to learn more about how I should do things if/when I go to the East.

If feel a bit dumb for asking, but could you elaborate with what you mean about accountability? I agree that it needs to be present but I'm not sure how it could really be expected since our organization is volunteer.
 

jwhoff

Premium Member
This is my first of two straight years in the East at different lodges.

Support is required. Leadership is essential.

Getting out of the way when talent rises is just good sense!


Ghee guys ... I'm sure to fail.
 

Observer

Registered User
"I'm not sure how it could really be expected since our organization is volunteer". This isn't some service organization. You guys took an obligation to each other and renewed that obligation when you were installed in your stations. If you are not willing to commit your best and be held accountable you should NEVER accept an office in your lodge. DO ANY OF YOU LISTEN TO THE INSTALLATION or do you all just sleep through it?
 

Bro. Brad Marrs

Premium Member
DO ANY OF YOU LISTEN TO THE INSTALLATION or do you all just sleep through it?

Ouch. I think Bro. Jones was looking for advice on how to provide sufficient motivation to keep all Officers engaged without using the gavel too heavily. Motivation and obligation are two seperate things.
 

Observer

Registered User
You might try some MEANINGFUL Masonic education. That seems to be what is lacking from most of the meetings and discussions.
 

Michael Hatley

Premium Member
But we always seem to have that one condescending guy who thinks it his role to be rude - of that, there is almost never a shortage. I think havin one or two guys behind you that enjoy skinning those particular cats is pretty essential.
 

Cigarzan

Premium Member
But we always seem to have that one condescending guy who thinks it his role to be rude - of that, there is almost never a shortage. I think havin one or two guys behind you that enjoy skinning those particular cats is pretty essential.

A horse that's kickin' cain't pull and a horse that's pullin' cain't kick!
 

JJones

Moderator
Ouch. I think Bro. Jones was looking for advice on how to provide sufficient motivation to keep all Officers engaged without using the gavel too heavily. Motivation and obligation are two seperate things.

Pretty much. Just because brethren take obligations doesn't mean you can run the lodge like a dictatorship and expect positive results and turnout. I'd just like to be able to keep brethren motivated and engaged.

Also, I'm not trying to come across as rude or preachy but it's good netiquette to avoid typing in all-caps, unless you want people to think you're shouting at them. :sad:
 

SeeKer.mm

Premium Member
At my lodge here in CT I have seen a couple of things that have been demotivating a few Brothers. First off, you have a few of the guys that always seem to P'd off at something or or someone. This doesn't exactly scream Brotherly love, especially when there are potential candidates, or potential affiliate members trying to get to know us. Second, there are few Brothers of the lodge that have (as I have been told) been trying to change the way a few things have been done in lodge traditionally and it seems as though the WM either (to use a brother's own words) "Agrees with them or doesn't care". I certainly understand the need for tradition and I can see why a few Brothers wouldn't like this...HOWEVER here is where it becomes tricky...the people that I hear complaining are the same people that barely ever show up (protest? or just not motivated?), and the people they are complaining about are always around helping and fulfilling their duties as officers to the fullest, one of them being Junior Deacon is always putting in extra work due to absentee Stewards. Mind you the Stewards might be present but they don't do much when they are (maybe that's where the P'd off look come from? I don't know for sure)...I offer to help but I get a dry, no I am set, it's not your job... *shrug*

So that being said I can understand the WM taking an interest in the opinions of those officers who are putting in the work, and if that means making a few changes....well...I don't know...I mean if the people complaining would only put in some more work instead b'in and moaning, perhaps they too would have the WM's ear? At the same time, I think the WM should also assert himself when need be and not just go by what one or two people want....leadership is a tricky balance and it is hard to make everyone happy all the time.
 
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Brent Heilman

Premium Member
One thing I know for sure is that before I make it to the East I will have had a lot of examples here to look to on how it should or shoudln't be done. We are trying to make changes in our Lodge to bring back the Brothers that have long been absent. It does take everyone working together to get it done, you know harmony being the strength and all.


"I'm not sure how it could really be expected since our organization is volunteer". This isn't some service organization. You guys took an obligation to each other and renewed that obligation when you were installed in your stations. If you are not willing to commit your best and be held accountable you should NEVER accept an office in your lodge. DO ANY OF YOU LISTEN TO THE INSTALLATION or do you all just sleep through it?

I truly don't think that there is one person here that didn't listen to their obligation and instead slept through them. While you should never accept a position without being able to man up to the responsibilities of the post we see it happen all the time. It is a sad fact that many times people volunteer to do something to put their name out there to have the ability to say "Look at what I did!" and never stop to think about the resonsibility that comes with volunteering. I know there are people out there that want nothing more than to be called a PM or past something. In order for them to get there they will do whatever it takes and if it means laying down and letting certain people run over them, they are fine with it. In the end there are those that want the honor or the title and care nothing for the post. I can assure you that those are not the people on this forum.

I believe that everyone here that takes an active part of these discussions are also the same people that take an active part in their respective lodges. If you want to see Brothers that take their obligations to heart and strive to constantly to live up to them you need to do nothing more and look around here. We all want to improve our lodges and I believe that if we can all learn from someone else's experience then we will all be better men and Brothers.
 

Bro. Brad Marrs

Premium Member
We talked aout some of these ideas in a thread that Brother Benton started awhile back.

http://www.masonsoftexas.com/general-freemasonry-discussion/15541-moving-through-chairs.html

I think it comes down to communications and planning.

We need to do a better job of setting expectations for our stations and places. Our Lodges have By-Laws, but they should also have Rules and Regulations, and these R&Rs should spell out the responsibilities of each office, all the way from Lodge maintenance to education. Each officer should know what they're getting in to way before they accept a nomination or appointment. This keeps us all on the level, and provides structure for running the Lodge. These R&Rs should also be reviewed from time to time, say every three years, to make sure they are still applicable, and it's worth noting that they never replace the discretion of the Worshipful Master.


If a man has been given a definition of his responsibilities, beyond what's defined in the Monitor, and GL Law, and he still fails to meet those expectations, then he should not be allowed to move on, and feelings should not be hurt.


Leadership positions within Lodge should be reserved for the peacemakers, and more importantly for those who can best work and best agree. We need to do a better job of admonishing each other, with friendship and humility.
 

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
DO ANY OF YOU LISTEN TO THE INSTALLATION or do you all just sleep through it?

Some Officers, Elected and Appointed fail to listen during the Installation because they don't even show up for it. A couple of years ago, our Senior Warden "simply forgot" about Installation, even though it was sent out in emails and, at that time, our Lodge newsletter.

In our rural Lodge, you can count the Brethren who do 99.9% of the work on one hand. Last year I challenged people to step up to help those guys, they didn't so I canceled certain events and fundraisers. One in particular took at least two days to prepare the food, then I needed Brethren to operate a food booth for 14-16 hours per day for 3 days straight. How do you do that without risking burning them out? Thankfully the Master this year is in agreement and will keep it axed.

Now that I'm a PM, I have some new advice (Texas geared):

1. Don't elect dumbasses that don't know the work, it's an embarrassment to your Lodge. Going to the East isn't a Right. If you have a Senior Warden who can barely remember his name, how is he going to lead your Lodge for a year? If you do, don't complain that your Lodge is falling apart or be embarrassed in front of visiting Brethren.

2. Hold committee chairs accountable at every meeting. Demand a report. If one isn't ready, put the Brother on the spot and tell him you expect one at the next meeting.

3. Play the politics game. You know, we all have that certain Brother(s) who stirs up crap, rants or gets their undies in a wad. It's better to sit them down, let them complain for 10 minutes and get it all out vs. threaten members with Masonic Charges.

4. Masonic Education. Good grief Brothers! This site is probably the largest source of Masonic articles on the internet! Find one you like and share it during your meetings. If it's a little long, do it during dinner! At almost every dinner, I stood up and presented Masonic information, trivia, quotes, games, etc. It made the dinner entertaining and even the ladies were fascinated with the info.

5. Don't serve sucky food. Chili dogs, chili pies and hot dogs are good for your 10 year olds Birthday Party, not a Stated Meeting. We used to assign each Officer a month to bring a meal, but now we have an arrangement with the OES to provide all of our meals, in exchange we pay them a certain amount. It's worked pretty well and have been a good fundraiser each month for them. Personally, I'd rather pay $20-$30 for a knockout meal.

6. Our current Master held his first meeting this Month and afterwards he suggested that we partake in some brews. We had the best time talking about the meeting and the future of the Lodge while enjoying some cold beers.

7. Make a list of Brethren who can confer a Masonic Funeral Service. It'll catch you off guard if you're not prepared.

8. Clean your Lodge. We're fortunate to have someone clean ours, but if your Lodge doesn't or cannot afford someone, hold a clean the lodge day. Pass a signup sheet. Those Brethren who fail to show up should be told during the next stated meeting that "You missed them". *HINT*

9. Have your Senior Deacon do his job no matter how shy he is. Examine and introduce! He should also introduce all visitors to the WM and Wardens before the meeting.

10. JW and SW, if you're not satisfied, you know what to do. Don't be embarrassed to use the very Gavel you've been entrusted to use wisely.

11. Hold practice often. Sure, the opening and closing are important, but change things up. Practice receiving the DDGM, entering and/or exiting the Lodge, a protest, balloting, draping the charter, calling up/down, voting on items brought before the Lodge, etc. Those are what threw me off the most. Opening and closing was easy as long as the meeting was dry and to the point. Throw some of those things in the mix and you can loose concentration. I assure you, they'll pop up!

12. If your Lodge has money and needs repairs, push for the improvements.

13. Don't be a wuss, you're the Master of the Lodge. You've earned the respect of your Lodge and have the Hat and Gavel to use at your will. If you tick some Brothers off by your actions, so be it.

14. Do something new. Whether it's something during Lodge or outside, leave your mark.

15. Ask the advice of Past Masters. I'm not talking about those who served 5 or 10 years ago, but 25+. Chances are, they had the same zeal you do and tried similar things. Ask them what worked and what didn't. You may gain some insight...

Enough of my rambles...
 
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Bill Hosler

Registered User
You have to be a peacemaker with the wisdom of Solomon and a deal maker with the cunning of a politician I entered the East with an agenda and slate full of ideas. None of them got implemented.

A PGM once told me "There are two great days in a mans Masonic career. One is the day he is installed in the East and the other is when he watches his successor installed".
 
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